Rugby Victoria, in collaboration with Academy Movement, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Melton Secondary College to develop a new high-performance Rugby Academy Program in 2022.
With the addition of Melton Secondary College, Rugby Victoria now has four dedicated Government School Rugby Academy Programs; two located in the South-East and two in the West of Melbourne.
Next year, Melton Secondary College will launch a Year 9 and Year 10 Rugby Academy class as well as a Year 7 and 8 pre-academy. The Academy will expand to include a Year 11 class in 2023 and a Year 12 class in 2024. Students at year levels 10, 11 and 12 will be completing a 3 year VET/VCE Certificate III in Sport and Recreation with a Rugby Union focus.
Over the past 3 years, the implementation of our Rugby Academies in other government schools - Fountain Gate Secondary College, The Grange P-12 College and Hampton Park Secondary College - has resulted in greater student engagement and learning outcomes for those enrolled and we hope to continue this trajectory at Melton SC.
In announcing today’s news at the Academy’s launch, Rugby Victoria CEO Chris Evans said:
“On behalf of Rugby Victoria, we are delighted to be partnering with Melton Secondary College and Academy Movement to offer an Academy Program for their students in 2022 and beyond”
"It’s fantastic to see Victorian schools’ commitment to providing young people with the opportunity to align their education with their passion for Rugby but health and fitness too.”
"The partnership aligns with Rugby Victoria's strategic approach to grow the game within the Government school sector. The choice to specifically engage Melton SC is backed by the College’s location in one of the fastest growing population corridors of Melbourne and it’s close proximity to Rugby Vic affiliated club, the Melton Warriors; which we hope will become a natural feeder Club for Melton Secondary College students. Our vision is that our academy schools will form the core of our Government School competition; the Rebel Shield.
“The academy program will provide specialist training, coach education and playing opportunities for students to become involved with their local community through Gala Days and other school initiatives. Students will also have access to exclusive, money-can’t-buy opportunities like visiting AAMI Park to meet the Melbourne Rebels’ super sides (Super Rugby and SuperW), to gain a greater understanding of the elite rugby environment and what it takes to make it as a professional player.
We would like to thank Melton Secondary College Principal David Reynolds and Sport Enhancement Co-ordinator Tim Condon for their progressive approach to integrating education and sport.”
Melton Secondary College has enlisted the consultancy services of Academy Movement Inc. and their Chief Education Consultant Jimmy Orange. Jimmy will work with the school for the next five years to establish and grow the Rugby Academy with high standards on and off the field and implement an engaging curriculum designed to create career pathways for the future.
“Academy Movement Inc. is thrilled to be able to partner with Rugby Victoria and the Melbourne Rebels, to establish and grow the Melton Secondary College Rugby Academy” Orange said.
“The purpose of the program is to create better student engagement and connection to the College through the avenue of Rugby. We believe our program not only creates more resilient, focussed and healthy students, but also contributes positively to the wider community.”
“With our model of a high level Rugby Academy in schools, there’s no doubt that Melton Secondary College will become a breeding ground for the next generation of ‘Burn Boys’ and ‘Burn Girls’.”
MSC Sport Enhancement Co-ordinator Tim Condon echoed these sentiments, adding:
“We are excited to be partnering with Academy Movement Inc. and Rugby Victoria to establish a genuine Rugby Academy at Melton Secondary College. While collaborating closely with Jimmy Orange (Academy Movement Inc.) and local community groups, the planning and progress made this year has already created positive change in our College. There is a genuine excitement amongst those students eligible for the Year 9 and 10 classes next year and we are all ready to take our academy to a new level.”
“With a strong emphasis on our college STARR values (Success, Teamwork, Ambition, Respect & Responsibility), the Academy will, through clearly defined academic outcomes and pathways, provide opportunities for students to actively engage in their own learning, building their capacity to succeed both within the classroom and on the rugby field” said Condon.
